Scrap metal ‘thief’ leads police to his arrest

INQUIRER.net stock photo

MANILA, Philippines — A truck driver who allegedly drove off with a load of scrap metal was arrested by the police in Batangas City on Christmas Day after he unwittingly revealed his whereabouts to a fellow employee.

A report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Thursday said driver Edwin Arellano and helper Jesus Jolom, both employees at a steel-manufacturing corporation in Novaliches, left their company on Saturday, Dec. 22, to deliver a truck-load of scrap steel bars to Tondo, Manila.

Police said that shortly into the trip, Arellano told Jolom to get off the truck to buy beer. But as soon as Jolom was out of the vehicle, the driver quickly drove off leaving the helper behind.

Jolom went back to their company to report the incident, which was later reported to the police.

On Christmas Day, Arellano texted a fellow driver and casually told him that he was at the Batangas Port, leading to his arrest.

He also revealed that he abandoned the truck in Guiguinto, Bulacan, where police later recovered the vehicle. The steel bars were already missing, however.

Police found on Arellano P155,000 in cash, which is believed part of the sale from the stolen scrap metal.

Arellano was brought to the Novaliches Police Station as he faces a case of qualified theft. /cbb